Skip to main content
Normal View

Pyrite Remediation Programme Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Questions (356)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

356. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the pyrite remediation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44432/13]

View answer

Written answers

Following Government approval earlier in 2013 to the imposition of levies on the quarrying and insurance sectors as a means of funding a pyrite remediation scheme preparation of the required legislation commenced. However, legal difficulties arose during the drafting process and it was not possible to proceed on the basis intended. My Department and I have worked over the past few months to resolve these difficulties and put in place an alternative means of funding a pyrite remediation scheme. In this context, I am very pleased, despite the necessary constraints on public expenditure at this time, to have secured Exchequer funding to support the implementation of a pyrite remediation scheme under the auspices of the Pyrite Resolution Board. In addition, a revised general scheme of a Bill to establish the Pyrite Resolution Board on a statutory basis has also been approved by Government. Drafting of this legislation is a priority I have to have it published and enacted in this Dáil term.

The revised funding arrangements which have now been approved by Government will mean that the necessity for the more complex structures for the delivery of the pyrite remediation scheme as envisaged in the previous funding arrangements, which involved the establishment of a not-for-profit company, are no longer required. The Pyrite Resolution Board, with support from the Housing Agency, will now implement the programme in line with the scheme which has already been outlined on the Board's website www.pyriteboard.ie. The Board have already made significant progress on developing appropriate systems and procedures. They will now quickly advance work on the proposed online application and processing system and also finalise work on developing other complementary systems, with appropriate checks and balances, to ensure that effective and efficient programmes of remediation are delivered to affected homeowners.

The initial phase of the remediation programme will deal with approximately 1,000 dwellings which, it is estimated, are in need of immediate repair. Initially, €10 million is being made available to my Department and additional funding will be provided over the next two years, in the context of the capital stimulus programme to be announced in early 2014, to deal with all dwellings deemed by the Pyrite Resolution Board to be in need of remediation.

I continue to attach a high priority to putting in place the necessary structures to deliver a resolution to the pyrite issue for affected homeowners who have been waiting a considerable period of time for solutions. I would like to assure affected homeowners that there will be no undue delay on my part or on that of my Department and the Pyrite Resolution Board to ensure that the pyrite remediation scheme is delivered in the shortest possible timeframe.

Top
Share